Welcome to Neo Miami, a US space colony located on the dark side of the moon, just south of the Copernicus crater. When a group of stationed engineers discovered the first methods for terraforming 50 years ago, a labor force was brought in to pilot terraforming mechs, who started to build Neo Miami into what it is today.
Now Neo Miami is a corporational mecca on the moon, with trillion dollar corporations fueling the city and its inhabitants. To the surprise of many, the terraforming process naturally produces large amounts of neon gas. Neo Miami glows with neon light.
Governance
Government presence (2)
Although Neo Miami is a territory of the United States of America, government presence is hindered by the distance between the mainland and the lunar colony. Corporations capable of expenging the resources to make regular trips to the moon have therefore stepped in to attain stronger influence than the government. Due to the influence of large corporations, people have their jobs assigned upon graduation from high-school since the lack of competition between Stephen Fearing companies and the lack of smaller businesses forces people to only be able to be employed by one of the controlling corporations.
Rule of Law(4)
In order to try to assert the presence of the government in spite of the disconnect caused by distance, the law enforcement on Neo Miami has grown strict. A robust body of laws with harsh punishments has been put into place. That being said, the number of law enforcement officials dwarf the multinational population of Neo Miami. While these forces can be cruel and fast moving, taking down larger organized crime can sometimes be a struggle.
Social Services(4↑)
Grassroots pushes for setting a higher base standard of living on this new planet, along with the newly built infrastructure for the colony and attraction of outside visitors, has allowed for a gradual increase in social services. Most public service workers such as teachers, medical professionals, and emergency responders were selected for the lunar colony based on merit, and put through specialized training programs by the government back on Earth to ensure that they were populating the colony with the best and brightest they had to offer. These training techniques carried on in the colony, and are still used to train anyone placed in a public service profession.
Economics
Economic Strength(1)
Neo Miami has very few natural resources, aside from the neon gas that comes from the terraforming process, so the city has a weak economy that relies heavily on importing goods and materials. Lack of raw materials also causes the city to have a very small industrial sector, and most business or industry in the city is there only to provide immediate service to the city, without any exports. Because the city receives most of its resources from Earth imports, everything comes slowly and at a cost, as new shipments can months to prepare.
Additionally, the exorbitant cost required to move to Neo Miami is often enough to leave new residents in a financially vulnerable state. This influx of people who are less than economically stable adds to the strain on an already hurting job market..
Wealth Distribution(3↓)
When the first settlers of Neo Miami arrived, they either came from money, or came for the money. Laborers were quick to sign up at the chance to terraform the moon and earn a quick fortune, while the upper-class felt an urge to escape to the new frontier. While these disparate groups can still be seen in the population today, the situation has balanced over time due to economic strain forcing the classes to have more similar wages.
Recently, an influx of autonomous robots have flooded the terraforming and manufacturing industries. Automation of the workforce has allowed the companies to increase productivity while decreasing the size of their workforce. The resulting layoffs in these major industries and the increased profits to the company owners has increased the disparity between the laborers and the upper-management of the companies.
Agriculture & Trade(3)
Neo Miami uses agriculture as a primary way to provide food for its citizens. Rather than growing a variety of food, the city has a focus on growing food that can produce large amounts with little space or time, leading to an abundance of crops such as wheat or corn and very little of anything else. While the city can import food, the time it takes to move goods from Earth to New Miami makes importing food logistically difficult.
Due to its minimal potential for export, Neo Miami’s trade deficit is ever-expanding. The main reason that the US continues support for the city is due to its potential for research and expansion. Companies typically see it as a haven from the government scrutiny that is more characteristic of the mainland.
Social Relations
Race Relations(5↓)
The first major wave of settlement of Neo Miami, as a ‘new frontier’ occurred roughly 25 years ago. Conditions on Earth are worsening and more and more are electing to move to the Moon to start anew. Tensions between the children of those initial settlers, now entering adulthood, and the new generation of settlers are growing rapidly, causing increased pressure between young adults stepping foot into a glowing world of opportunity.
Some of the naturalized citizens of Neo Miami will use slang terms common in the colony as a sort of test for unfamiliar people to determine whether or not they were born there. Additionally, people whose skin shows a noticeable tan are immediately understood to be newcomers.
Class Relations(2)
There are strong tensions between the wealthy upper class and the middle and lower classes. While even the lower classes are able to make a livable income, the upper class often gleefully flaunts their wealth. Most of the upper class tend to wear bespoke suits lined with glowing threads, subtly bathing the area around them in light- standing out by virtue of not having massive neon contraptions strapped across their body.
Most lower-class citizens are given one job offer from the conglomeration of corporations on high-school graduation, which often determines the job they will work for the rest of their lives. Children of upper-class citizens are often offered multiple jobs in upper-management of these corporations, further propagating the class disparity.
Gender Relations(2↑)
The initial colonists of Neo Miami were mostly male, with only a few females, mirroring the gender ratio for most S.T.E.M. fields. Although the gap between the number of men and the number of women in the colony has improved, there are still significantly less women in Neo Miami. This imbalance has led to increased cases of discrimination against women in social circles and professional settings. Some of the more notable controversies regarding gender disparity in Neo Miami include a significant pay gap and increased reports of sexual harassment. There has been a recent increase in demonstrations and activism advocating gender equality in Neo Miami. Women’s rights groups have been actively trying to recruit more women from earth and get the US government to intervene. Neo Miami was recently ranked last in gender equality for states in the US.
Sexual Orientation(3)
Despite the legislative protections in place for citizens of all sexual orientations under the United States’s governance, Neo Miami has not often been considered one of the most friendly places to the LGB community. Stereotypes and slurs targeted at homosexual and bisexual people often go unpunished, allowing volatile groups to harass people about their sexual orientation freely. Neo Miami was recently ranked the 8th least equal state for homosexuals in the US.
Cultural Influences
Military(3)
Neo Miami has a small handful of military buildings across its land. A small contingent from the US army is deployed to keep a strong claim on the city, but otherwise the US military has a primarily hands-off approach. The police in Neo Miami are heavily militarized, with the abundance (and rigidity) of Neo Miami’s many laws causing the police to be the most prevalent, visible armed force in the city. While corruption is avoided as much as possible, there is mistrust between the normal citizens and the police, and police officers will often attempt to abuse their positions. The biggest factor that keeps the police force in Neo Miami from succumbing to corruptions is the exceedingly powerful and thorough auditing agency which oversees and constantly monitors all government activity.
Religion(1↑)
The initial settlers of Neo Miami were mostly professionals in STEM fields, and young laborers looking for a new beginning, which minimized religious influence for the city from the start. As the city grew and the terraforming of the moon expanded, some explorers who made their way to the farther reaches of the terraformed area have reported seeing strange apparitions. The most commonly reported apparition is described as a large, ethereal golem trodding across the still barren parts of the moon. Although most people write these apparitions off as illusions caused by the thinner air and atmospheric anomalies that are common during the terraforming process, some claim that they are native lunar beings.
Technology(5)
Most people are well-connected to the internet with plenty of wearable technology options including augmented reality contacts, internet-connected earpieces, and independently operable smartwatches. Since government observation of corporation activities on the moon is strained at best, experimental technologies and human augmentations have been rumored in Neo Miami. Rumors of bionic arms with enhanced strength and internet access and bionic eyes with enhanced visual capabilities being tested on human subjects have floated around, but never been validated.
Arts & Culture(4)
In the last seven years there have been quite a few art studios popping up throughout the city. In order to try and bring more money into Neo Miami large tax cuts have been offered to new business as well as for film and television. Design and entertainment companies have therefore been popping up throughout the city. Designers find great opportunities with all of the new technology popping up everywhere, and there is a constant need for them to help make technology more usable and appealing. Glass work is also broadly desired, due to Neo Miami’s fascination with neon lights (and the prevalence of such lights). Musicians playing Moon Rock, a unique jazzy metal sound, are often seen performing on streets throughout the commercial areas of Neo Miami. Many of the poorer citizens of Neo Miami are regularly innovating their looks and making the neon they adorn themselves with look appealing despite not having access to the best materials. A wide variety of restaurants pop up throughout the city- spices are prohibitively expensive, so restaurants experiment with different approaches to cooking the limited foods available in an effort to broaden the palette available to the people of Neo Miami.
2↑
Intro
Welcome to Neo Miami, a US space colony located on the dark side of the moon, just south of the Copernicus crater. When a group of stationed engineers discovered the first methods for terraforming 50 years ago, a labor force was brought in to pilot terraforming mechs, who started to build Neo Miami into what it is today.
Now Neo Miami is a corporational mecca on the moon, with trillion dollar corporations fueling the city and its inhabitants. To the surprise of many, the terraforming process naturally produces large amounts of neon gas. Neo Miami glows with neon light.
Governance
Government presence (2)
Although Neo Miami is a territory of the United States of America, government presence is hindered by the distance between the mainland and the lunar colony. Corporations capable of expenging the resources to make regular trips to the moon have therefore stepped in to attain stronger influence than the government. Due to the influence of large corporations, people have their jobs assigned upon graduation from high-school since the lack of competition between Stephen Fearing companies and the lack of smaller businesses forces people to only be able to be employed by one of the controlling corporations.Rule of Law(4)
In order to try to assert the presence of the government in spite of the disconnect caused by distance, the law enforcement on Neo Miami has grown strict. A robust body of laws with harsh punishments has been put into place. That being said, the number of law enforcement officials dwarf the multinational population of Neo Miami. While these forces can be cruel and fast moving, taking down larger organized crime can sometimes be a struggle.Social Services(4↑)
Grassroots pushes for setting a higher base standard of living on this new planet, along with the newly built infrastructure for the colony and attraction of outside visitors, has allowed for a gradual increase in social services. Most public service workers such as teachers, medical professionals, and emergency responders were selected for the lunar colony based on merit, and put through specialized training programs by the government back on Earth to ensure that they were populating the colony with the best and brightest they had to offer. These training techniques carried on in the colony, and are still used to train anyone placed in a public service profession.Economics
Economic Strength(1)
Neo Miami has very few natural resources, aside from the neon gas that comes from the terraforming process, so the city has a weak economy that relies heavily on importing goods and materials. Lack of raw materials also causes the city to have a very small industrial sector, and most business or industry in the city is there only to provide immediate service to the city, without any exports. Because the city receives most of its resources from Earth imports, everything comes slowly and at a cost, as new shipments can months to prepare.Additionally, the exorbitant cost required to move to Neo Miami is often enough to leave new residents in a financially vulnerable state. This influx of people who are less than economically stable adds to the strain on an already hurting job market..
Wealth Distribution(3↓)
When the first settlers of Neo Miami arrived, they either came from money, or came for the money. Laborers were quick to sign up at the chance to terraform the moon and earn a quick fortune, while the upper-class felt an urge to escape to the new frontier. While these disparate groups can still be seen in the population today, the situation has balanced over time due to economic strain forcing the classes to have more similar wages.Recently, an influx of autonomous robots have flooded the terraforming and manufacturing industries. Automation of the workforce has allowed the companies to increase productivity while decreasing the size of their workforce. The resulting layoffs in these major industries and the increased profits to the company owners has increased the disparity between the laborers and the upper-management of the companies.
Agriculture & Trade(3)
Neo Miami uses agriculture as a primary way to provide food for its citizens. Rather than growing a variety of food, the city has a focus on growing food that can produce large amounts with little space or time, leading to an abundance of crops such as wheat or corn and very little of anything else. While the city can import food, the time it takes to move goods from Earth to New Miami makes importing food logistically difficult.Due to its minimal potential for export, Neo Miami’s trade deficit is ever-expanding. The main reason that the US continues support for the city is due to its potential for research and expansion. Companies typically see it as a haven from the government scrutiny that is more characteristic of the mainland.
Social Relations
Race Relations(5↓)
The first major wave of settlement of Neo Miami, as a ‘new frontier’ occurred roughly 25 years ago. Conditions on Earth are worsening and more and more are electing to move to the Moon to start anew. Tensions between the children of those initial settlers, now entering adulthood, and the new generation of settlers are growing rapidly, causing increased pressure between young adults stepping foot into a glowing world of opportunity.Some of the naturalized citizens of Neo Miami will use slang terms common in the colony as a sort of test for unfamiliar people to determine whether or not they were born there. Additionally, people whose skin shows a noticeable tan are immediately understood to be newcomers.
Class Relations(2)
There are strong tensions between the wealthy upper class and the middle and lower classes. While even the lower classes are able to make a livable income, the upper class often gleefully flaunts their wealth. Most of the upper class tend to wear bespoke suits lined with glowing threads, subtly bathing the area around them in light- standing out by virtue of not having massive neon contraptions strapped across their body.Most lower-class citizens are given one job offer from the conglomeration of corporations on high-school graduation, which often determines the job they will work for the rest of their lives. Children of upper-class citizens are often offered multiple jobs in upper-management of these corporations, further propagating the class disparity.
Gender Relations(2↑)
The initial colonists of Neo Miami were mostly male, with only a few females, mirroring the gender ratio for most S.T.E.M. fields. Although the gap between the number of men and the number of women in the colony has improved, there are still significantly less women in Neo Miami. This imbalance has led to increased cases of discrimination against women in social circles and professional settings. Some of the more notable controversies regarding gender disparity in Neo Miami include a significant pay gap and increased reports of sexual harassment. There has been a recent increase in demonstrations and activism advocating gender equality in Neo Miami. Women’s rights groups have been actively trying to recruit more women from earth and get the US government to intervene. Neo Miami was recently ranked last in gender equality for states in the US.Sexual Orientation(3)
Despite the legislative protections in place for citizens of all sexual orientations under the United States’s governance, Neo Miami has not often been considered one of the most friendly places to the LGB community. Stereotypes and slurs targeted at homosexual and bisexual people often go unpunished, allowing volatile groups to harass people about their sexual orientation freely. Neo Miami was recently ranked the 8th least equal state for homosexuals in the US.Cultural Influences
Military(3)
Neo Miami has a small handful of military buildings across its land. A small contingent from the US army is deployed to keep a strong claim on the city, but otherwise the US military has a primarily hands-off approach. The police in Neo Miami are heavily militarized, with the abundance (and rigidity) of Neo Miami’s many laws causing the police to be the most prevalent, visible armed force in the city. While corruption is avoided as much as possible, there is mistrust between the normal citizens and the police, and police officers will often attempt to abuse their positions. The biggest factor that keeps the police force in Neo Miami from succumbing to corruptions is the exceedingly powerful and thorough auditing agency which oversees and constantly monitors all government activity.Religion(1↑)
The initial settlers of Neo Miami were mostly professionals in STEM fields, and young laborers looking for a new beginning, which minimized religious influence for the city from the start. As the city grew and the terraforming of the moon expanded, some explorers who made their way to the farther reaches of the terraformed area have reported seeing strange apparitions. The most commonly reported apparition is described as a large, ethereal golem trodding across the still barren parts of the moon. Although most people write these apparitions off as illusions caused by the thinner air and atmospheric anomalies that are common during the terraforming process, some claim that they are native lunar beings.Technology(5)
Most people are well-connected to the internet with plenty of wearable technology options including augmented reality contacts, internet-connected earpieces, and independently operable smartwatches. Since government observation of corporation activities on the moon is strained at best, experimental technologies and human augmentations have been rumored in Neo Miami. Rumors of bionic arms with enhanced strength and internet access and bionic eyes with enhanced visual capabilities being tested on human subjects have floated around, but never been validated.Arts & Culture(4)
In the last seven years there have been quite a few art studios popping up throughout the city. In order to try and bring more money into Neo Miami large tax cuts have been offered to new business as well as for film and television. Design and entertainment companies have therefore been popping up throughout the city. Designers find great opportunities with all of the new technology popping up everywhere, and there is a constant need for them to help make technology more usable and appealing. Glass work is also broadly desired, due to Neo Miami’s fascination with neon lights (and the prevalence of such lights). Musicians playing Moon Rock, a unique jazzy metal sound, are often seen performing on streets throughout the commercial areas of Neo Miami. Many of the poorer citizens of Neo Miami are regularly innovating their looks and making the neon they adorn themselves with look appealing despite not having access to the best materials. A wide variety of restaurants pop up throughout the city- spices are prohibitively expensive, so restaurants experiment with different approaches to cooking the limited foods available in an effort to broaden the palette available to the people of Neo Miami.==